Memory problems are frustrating. People joke about “senior moments” while others worry about the possibility of dementia. Dementia is actually a disease of the brain, but normal memory ultimately has more to do with how you manage (or don’t manage) … Continue reading
Rarely does a social occasion go by that somebody doesn’t ask me what a psychotherapist does, and what actually happens behind the closed doors of a therapy session. I resist the urge to mumble something about secret handshakes, decoder rings … Continue reading
When facing an important decision about relationships and other personal issues, it’s often best to consider your own advice first. After all, who’s better suited to know what’s right for you than … you? Recently, I spoke with a friend … Continue reading
There are all kinds of myths about therapy. Some even believe all that feel-good nonsense they see on daytime TV, so they assume that their visit will be an instant cure for whatever ails them. Well, it’s not that easy. … Continue reading
People often tell me that they feel “used” because someone gets something out of being with them. Well, there’s nothing wrong with self-interest; every relationship, whether business or personal, should be mutually beneficial. However, the actual act of using somebody … Continue reading
It’s a rare day when Facebook and Twitter are not teeming with horror stories about bad experiences with service providers. But it’s my job to peek behind the proverbial curtain, and sure enough, when I look closer at some of … Continue reading
It amazes me how people can act like smart consumers in some situations, and like helpless pawns in others. Consider the way most of us handle the news — especially television news. I don’t care which news station you watch; … Continue reading
Dear Dr. Hurd, My “new age” friends are always telling me to “Go with my feelings and say what I feel.” But is it advisable to just blurt out whatever happens to pop into your head — right, wrong or … Continue reading
We hear a lot about mental health, and kids are no exception. Are there signs that parents should look for? How can you tell the difference between real psychological issues and simple bad habits brought on by too much TV, … Continue reading
It’s a rare moment when we don’t experience an emotion. But is it based in fact, or is it just a reaction (right or wrong) to some stimulus around us? When you experience an emotion, it’s important to identify it … Continue reading
Problems in relationships and business usually boil down to one thing: Bad judgment. Judgment – good or bad – is in terribly short supply nowadays. Like the overabundance of selections on TV and the Internet, we’re saturated with options and … Continue reading
A regular reader emails that he is having difficulty coming to terms with his girlfriend’s sexual history. He says that they are very much in love, but that he obsesses over her past with other men. He asks if it’s … Continue reading